Granby Drummer (https://granbydrummer.com/category/voice/letter-to-the-editor/page/21/)
After reading Kim Becker’s October letter to the editor, I must make a number of comments in support of the Granby Public School System. In her letter, she states that “Granby schools are not stagnant; they are in full decline.” Ms. Becker bases this opinion statement solely on the recent standardized test scores, namely, the SBAC and the SAT.
My husband, two young children and I moved to West Granby just over four years ago. Through school activities, sports and community events, we’ve gotten to know the people of Granby to be diverse, hard-working, caring—and particularly, people who want to be heard—people who want to matter when it comes to the complex issues we’re facing today.
In this spirit, it is apparent Granby is overdue for representation on the state level by someone who truly reflects our values and who will stand up and work for the issues important to our community.
Last month, Eric Lukingbeal wrote an important op/ed piece describing how, as it currently stands, the legislature can sell, swap or give away public lands such as state parks, forests and even state-owned farmlands without public knowledge or input.
Protocol calls for a public hearing, but at the end of a legislative session, the rules can be ignored, and that is when many of these transactions take place.
The only way to make sure there is a public hearing before any of our land is taken away is to amend the State Constitution to require the public hearing. The amendment also contains the clause that any proposed legislation must pass by at least two-thirds of the House and the Senate.
During last Tuesday night’s debate (Sept. 25) between Amanda Webster and Bill Simanski, organized and presented by GMHS Honors Civics Class, it was apparent that Bill is running on his record of helping the state accumulate 4.6 billon dollars of debt.
“The water is warm” were memorable words to us as we embarked on the journey of owning goats. It is time to acknowledge Granby 4H and all the families we have encountered during our journey with “barn life” and I figured a letter to the editor was the most appropriate venue.
Every fall, school districts receive the Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC) and SAT test scores and use them to measure both the previous year’s success and the long-term trends of their schools. Sadly, Granby did not fare well again.
As a member of the Board of Finance, I know that investments in education and access to healthcare grow our economy and make our state attractive to businesses. As a father, I want my children to find opportunities in Connecticut that make them want to stay in our great state.
Retirees want to see Connecticut do well and we want our children and grandchildren to love this state as much as we do. However, many of us are struggling with finances due to threats to our promised pensions and healthcare benefits.
In 1972 my mother was elected to our state legislature (in Maine), and as a result, awareness of political issues has remained a constant for me. I remember campaigning with her and watching her listen to her future constituents.
As a resident of Granby for the last 15 years, I find it refreshing to have a candidate as dedicated as Amanda Webster running for State Representative in the 62nd District. Amanda continues to impress me by working tirelessly to get to know Granby, Barkhamsted, New Hartford and Hartland residents, and understand the issues that mean the most to them.